If you are using a single stage press you don't need a powder check die. Buy a reloading block or two. It is easy to visually inspect the powder level of your charged cases under a good light.

I decided to get one when I bought my first progressive press after hearing stories of squibs and overcharged handloads.

After some research I chose the RCBS lockout die. It does not require that you watch the die to determine the powder level. If it detects an improper level (too low or too high) it will STOP your press whether you are watching the little indicator rod or not. The first time it "worked" it surprised me. Turns out a .357 case had gotten mixed in with my .38s. The powder level was OK but the die "realized" the case was too long.

RCBS and Hornady make a die with a rod that indicates the powder level (RCBS is a Powder Check die, Hornady calls it a Powder Cop die). Midway had the Hornady on clearance last time I was on the website. Both are OK but they depend on the operator watching the die as the charged case goes through.

Dillon makes a powder checker but I'm not sure it is suitable for non-Dillon applications without some modification.

I load on a Dillon. I have a powder check alarm on each tool head. You can't miss it when it goes off, very loud. Works on both over and under charged cases. Also....it's right in front of you for a visual as well.

Not sure of the mechanism in the RCBS lockout die, but I ALWAYS use one and it has saved my bacon two or three times in the 25,000 or so rounds I've reloaded. That shows how often I've actually needed it, but those 2 or 3 errors could have been the fatal ones.

If you have an open station on a progressive press I see no reason the dillon system with an alarm would not work. It comes with a powder die that you need.

It will only work on the 650 and 1050 unless you drill a hole in the press. The Dillon alarm has to contact the top of the ram to work. I use them but if you find a load that winds up being compressed you can use your eyeball. I use them mostly for small charges of fast powder that you can't see.

If you are reloading on a progressive then it makes sense, especially to check for no powder. But in .223 many of the powders will nearly fill the case. Varget for instance pretty much goes above the shoulder and nearly to the case mouth on most loads. I can't think of a powder that would NOT overflow on a double charge in .223, so that would be obvious.

The concern would be no powder and a possible squib. With most powders it would be full enough to easily see on a single stage or turret press. But on a progressive you probably want one so as to slow down for inspection of powder.

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